Most Iconic Wedding Dresses Ever

Published

5 years ago

April 23, 2020

With some of the biggest fashion designers on speed dial, it should probably come as no surprise to learn that the women of Hollywood get the chance to wear stunning wedding dresses on their big day. From giant princess dresses to bohemian gowns, these leading ladies have all been able to make their way down the aisle while wearing these iconic wedding dresses – and there’s no doubt about the fact that we’re pretty jealous.

After all, who wouldn’t want to wear something this beautiful on the happiest day of their lives?

Portia de Rossi

Although Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres have been together for decades, they tied the knot in 2008 during an intimate ceremony in their backyard. Despite the fact that only a few members of their closest family and friends attended the event, Portia made sure that her dress was truly something special. In the end, she opted for a beautiful pale pink tulle gown made by the legendary fashion designer, Zac Posen. The end result was something that many brides have since used as inspiration – and we have to say that we don’t blame them.

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor may have tied the knot seven times over the course of her life, but that doesn’t mean that she became complacent when it came to her wedding gowns. For her 1959 marriage to Eddie Fisher, Elizabeth made sure that everyone was talking about her. Ditching the traditional white color, Elizabeth opted for a green chiffon dress complete with a matching headdress. The wedding was scandalous enough due to the fact that Taylor was marrying her best friend’s ex-husband, but her dress took that scandal to a whole other level.

Solange Knowles

Over the course of her career, Solange Knowles has proved to the world that she doesn’t like to follow the crowd. She definitely showcased this part of her personality during her 2014 wedding, as she stayed away from convention within every single aspect of her big day. Not only did she arrive at her ceremony on the back of a bicycle, but she also rocked a Stephanie Rolland jumpsuit – complete with her very own cape! The look was iconic on its own, but she became even more iconic when she changed into a Kenzo gown later on in the day.

Princess Eugenie

You probably don’t need us to tell you that any royal wedding is a big deal, and that was certainly the case when Princess Eugenie tied the knot with Jack Brooksbank in 2018. The couple looked as loved up as ever as they posed for the cameras, and Eugenie looked absolutely stunning in her Peter Pilotto gown. Featuring a v-shaped neckline and a pleated skirt, the dress also offered lace detail to push it into a luxurious realm. As if that wasn’t enough, Eugenie made sure that the back of her dress was low-cut, to showcase her scoliosis surgery scars.

Salma Hayek

Many eyebrows were raised when Salma Hayek announced her engagement to French businessman François-Henri Pinault, but they have since proved to everyone that love always prevails. The couple tied the knot in 2009 during an intimate and closed-off ceremony in Venice, and Salma’s dress was truly something special. Designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga, this beautiful gown featured an embellished bodice that flattered her shape and showcased her luxurious style. She finished the outfit with a delicate veil and beautiful accessories – that probably cost a fortune!

Priyanka Chopra

It was a big day for the world when Priyanka Chopra tied the knot with Nick Jonas, but what made their wedding so special was that it wasn’t just one day. In fact, the couple has exchanged vows twice, in two different ceremonies – with one of them lasting a whole week! For their December 2018 wedding in Mumbai, Priyanka stole the show with a custom Ralph Lauren gown. It’s been noted that this dress took a whopping 1,826 hours to make, due to the huge number of Swarovski crystals and pearls sewn into the dress.

Kim Kardashian West

As someone who loves to break the internet and showcase every single aspect of her life to the cameras, it should come as no surprise to learn that Kim Kardashian West opted for a breathtaking gown for her wedding. As she walked down the aisle to meet Kanye West, her friends and family – and the captures – fell in love with her custom-made Givenchy gown. This gown came complete with beautiful lace detailing and featured cut-out sections, and it suited the Italian setting perfectly. Who wouldn’t want to wear this dress?

Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy tied the knot with John F. Kennedy while he was still just the United States Senator for Massachusetts, but he was already a big name. The couple became husband and wife in 1953, and Jacqueline made sure that she wore a dress that she would be proud of for years to come. Designed by Ann Lowe, this dress featured an off-the-shoulder style, as well as ruffles all the way down the bodice and skirt. She topped the whole look off with a stunning veil that sat atop her hair like a beautiful headpiece.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow tied the knot in 2018 in a stunning ceremony alongside her new husband, Brad Falchuk. Although the couple opted for an intimate ceremony featuring some of their closest family members and friends, Gwyneth knew that she wanted her dress to steal the show. So, she enlisted the help of Valentino fashion designer Pierpaolo Piccioli to create something spectacular. The end result was a floor-length white gown completely covered in beautiful lace appliques. As if that wasn’t enough, Paltrow finished the look off with a stunning veil that flowed to the ground.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is often regarded as one of the biggest divas in the business, so it only makes sense that her wedding gown was also one of the biggest in history, right? When Mariah tied the knot with Tommy Mottola in 1993, she rocked this Vera Wang gown – and it’s been noted that the whole design was inspired by Princess Diana’s own wedding dress. Featuring puffy off-the-shoulder sleeves, it also came complete with a bedazzled bodice, a 27-foot-train, and a 10-foot veil. Of course, she also had a tiara atop her head.

Katie Holmes

The wedding of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise has since gone down in history for many reasons, and because of this, her wedding dress has also entered the realm of legends. Their marriage took place during a stunning Italian ceremony, and Katie made sure that her Giorgio Armani gown didn’t look out of place. She opted for an off-the-shoulder aesthetic, and the whole dress was made from luxurious silk and lace. As if that wasn’t enough, much of the wedding dress was also covered in expensive Swarovski crystals. All in all, they took a whopping 350 to put in place.

Grace Kelly

When actress Grace Kelly retired from the world of Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco, the whole world watched in wonder. It was an iconic moment for everyone, and it was even more iconic when Grace donned her gown for the royal wedding. This particular dress was made by Helen Rose, who rose to fame as a costume designer for MGM. She created a silk taffeta and Brussels lace gown that was also adorned with hundreds of beautiful pearls. According to reports, this dress took a whopping six weeks to make – with three seamstresses on hand to do so!

Nicky Hilton

While Nicky Hilton may be known for her life as a socialite, she wanted to ensure that her wedding day was as luxurious and as demure as possible. So, when she married James Rothschild in 2015, they tied the knot in the royal Kensington Palace Gardens in London and wore a dress inspired by royalty. Nicky enlisted the help of Valentino Couture to design a dress inspired by Grace Kelly’s own wedding gown, and this was the stunning result. Featuring long, lace sleeves, a 10-foot train, and beautiful crystals, it certainly stole the show.

Pippa Middleton

Although she may not be a member of the Royal Family herself, there’s no doubt about the fact that Kate Middleton’s sister has made her way into the limelight over the years. Because of this, the general public couldn’t wait to see the gown she would wear to her 2017 wedding. The end result was pretty fabulous, as her Giles Deacon gown took many people’s breaths away. That’s because the whole dress was covered in lace, and the train itself was built up with tulle to make it even more impressive and show-stopping.

Olivia Palermo

Despite the fact that Olivia Palermo has lived her life in the limelight for many years, she wanted her 2014 wedding to Johannes Huebl to be as intimate as possible. They tied the knot in a small park in New York, and she didn’t go over-the-top with her wedding gown. In fact, Olivia didn’t wear a dress at all! Instead, she rocked a Carolina Herrara outfit featuring a stunning tulle skirt and a cashmere sweater. Olivia wanted to embrace Carrie Bradshaw vibes for this look, and she even wore the same Manolo Blahnik pumps that Carrie wore in SATC.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is no stranger to the spotlight, and there was no question that her choice of wedding gown when her big day arrived would be lavish and extravagant. Given her fashion sense, Paris was bound to deliver with a magical gown, and we couldn’t love it any more. It’s all parts traditional while remaining modern and obviously showing off her pizazz. No one does it like Paris, and we can see why!

Yoko Ono

You probably don’t need us to tell you that Yoko Ono and John Lennon weren’t your average couple. These two hippies and activists defied normal convention, and they outright denied to live by the rules. Although they chose to get married, they made sure that they did it in their own way – and this can be seen within Yoko’s wedding outfit. For the big event, Yoko rocked some of the biggest fashion trends of the1960s. Keeping things simple with a white shirt and mini skirt, she topped the whole outfit off with a felt hat, sneakers, and knee-high socks.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s royal wedding was a wedding for the ages, and millions of people tuned in to watch these two exchange their vows and become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For the happiest day of her life, Meghan wore a Givenchy gown designed by esteemed fashion designer Clare Waight. Meghan wanted a simple dress complete with a bateau neckline because she wanted to showcase the little details in her whole outfit. One of those details was a royal tiara once owned by Queen Mary, which sat atop her head with a 16-foot veil attached.

Priscilla Presley

The wedding of Elvis and Priscilla Presley will forever go down in history as one of the most iconic events of all time, and all eyes were on this couple when they exchanged their vows. After all, he was one of the most desirable men in the world of rock and roll, and many women wanted to call him their husband. The couple got married in 1967 in an extravagant Las Vegas ceremony, but did you know that she actually designed her own wedding dress? It featured an A-line pattern, a beaded top, and a three-foot veil.

Kate Moss

Everyone knows who Kate Moss is, right? This supermodel has been in the game for decades, and this has allowed her to build relationships with some of the best designers in the business. Because of this, she chose designer John Galiano to create a custom-made gown for her wedding day in 2011. Kate wanted something bohemian and classic for her nuptials, and the end result was something simple – but also something incredibly stunning with its beading, pearls, and chiffon details. As if that wasn’t enough, the veil headdress really took the dress to a whole new level.

Celine Dion

Celina Dion is often regarded as one of the most iconic singers of all time, but there’s no doubt about the fact that her marriage to her late husband was met with criticism. In an effort to brush off these negative comments, Celine opted to go big or go home when it came to her wedding gown – as it was pretty spectacular. Designed by Mirella and Steve Gentile, this voluminous gown featured a 20-foot train and some serious bedazzling. She then topped the whole outfit off with a large seven-pound tiara, which featured a whopping 2,000 crystals.

Audrey Hepburn

As one of the most iconic actresses to ever grace the world with her presence, everyone knew that Audrey Hepburn would also grace her wedding day with a gorgeous gown. When she tied the knot with Mel Ferrer in 1954, she wore a Pierre Balmain dress that fell just below the knees. She rocked an incredible high neck, sleeves designed in the leg-o-mutton form, and a cinched-in waist and belt that allowed her to showcase her petite frame. Instead of wearing a veil atop her head, Audrey wanted to adorn her hair with roses – so that’s what she did.

Kate Middleton

All eyes were on Kate Middleton when she married Prince William in 2011, and while most people couldn’t wait to see the royal couple make their entrance, there were others who couldn’t wait to see her gown in all of its glory. Kate’s dress featured both white and ivory satin, and both the sleeves and the dress itself was covered in beautiful and delicate lace. Designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen, the whole ensemble was stunning on so many levels. It was then topped off with the Cartier Halo Tiara, borrowed from the Queen’s personal collection.

Mia Farrow

Over the course of her career, Mia Farrow showed the world that she didn’t really care what they thought of her and her supposed beauty. She defied conventions by cutting her hair into a short pixie cut, and she proved to everyone that she was a trendsetter. She proved this once again when she tied the knot with Frank Sinatra in 1966, as she opted for a structured skirt and jacket combo. Her outfit may have been white, but it was also deemed to be pretty scandalous – just like the 29-year age gap between the actress and her 50-year-old husband.

Gwen Stefani

Those familiar with Gwen Stefani will know that she has never really been the kind of woman to follow normal fashion trends. In fact, she has often been the trendsetter over the years, and this was certainly the case when she married Gavin Rossdale in 2002. For their big day, Gwen had a one-of-a-kind gown designed for her by John Galliano for Christian Dior – and would you believe that it was dip-dyed just for her? The pink ombre effect that this dress showcased made many people raise their eyebrows, but there were others who knew it was perfect for her.

Bianca Jagger

By the time the 1970s had come along, fans were already enamored with Bianca Jagger. Not only had this model stolen the show with her portfolio, but she had also been able to win over the heart of the iconic lothario, Mick Jagger. The model and the Rolling Stone tied the knot in 1971, and Bianca proved once again that she was one of the most stylish women in the business. While she didn’t opt for a white wedding gown, she instead chose to rock a low-cut skirt suit in the same color. She looked pretty awesome.

Princess Diana

When Princess Diana and Prince Charles were planning their wedding, they knew that the whole world would be watching them – quite literally. Their nuptials were watched by millions across the globe, so Diana had to opt for a wedding gown that would steal the show. In the end, she chose a fashion designer by the name of David Emanuel to design her wedding dress, and it has since gone down in history as one of the most iconic dresses of all time. It featured a whopping 10,000 pearls and had a 25-foot train to boot.

Allison Williams

Largely known for her role in Girls and her famous father, most people are familiar with Allison Williams. In fact, her fans couldn’t wait to see her walk down the aisle to marry her husband, Ricky Van Veen, in 2015. In true Allison form, she made sure that her dress was as stunning as possible, and that it was something that she would look back on and continue to love as the years passed. That particular dress was a custom Oscar de la Renta design that featured lace from the sleeves to the hemline.

Poppy Delevingne

Not only does Poppy Delevingne come from a famous family, but she’s also famous in her own right – which means that she’s familiar with some of the biggest designers that the world of fashion has to know. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why she chose to wear two different wedding dresses for her nuptials in 2014. While her first one was traditional and white, her second dress certainly stole the show for being a little different. Designed as a custom Pucci gown, this bohemian gown featured delicate embroidery that brought some serious flower power to the wedding.

Chelsea Clinton

As a huge family in the United States and abroad, most people know that the Clinton family has a huge amount of money to their name. Because of this, Chelsea was able to splash the cash when her 2010 wedding came around, and she opted to buy this custom Vera Wang gang. As one of the biggest bridal designers in the world, Vera often sticks to traditional styles and colors, and it seems as though that’s exactly what Chelsea went for. Featuring a ruffled design and a stunning beaded belt, it was beautiful in its simplicity.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez may be gearing up for another wedding, but many people forget that she has been married before. In fact, she married Chris Judd back in 2001, and she wore a stunning wedding gown for the occasion. While Jennifer and Chris opted for a stripped-back wedding for their closest friends and family members, J-Lo wore a Vera Wang gown that put her right in the center of attention. Featuring a white lace body and lace sleeves, the whole ensemble was topped off with the beautiful veil trailing behind her.

Victoria Beckham

Since making her transition from pop star to fashion designer, Victoria has proved to everyone that she has an impressive taste in fashion. It seems as though this was also the case back in 1999, though, especially when she married David Beckham. The couple wed in a beautiful Irish castle, and Victoria certainly had the gown for the occasion. Designed by Vera Wang, this strapless champagne gown featured a huge train that flowed a whopping 20-feet behind her. She coupled this dress with a stunning tiara that made everyone aware of the fact that she was the queen.

Michelle Obama

While Michelle and Barack Obama weren’t as famous on their wedding day as they are now, there’s no doubt about the fact that fans have since wanted to look back on their big day – and wanted to look back on Michelle’s gown. Although she didn’t wear any designer label when she wore her wedding dress, Michelle rocked this stunning off-the-shoulder satin number that also featured a sweetheart neckline. For the big day, she also wore a long veil and some beautiful diamond drop earrings that really set the outfit apart from just your average white dress.

Amal Clooney

Women wept across the world when they discovered that George Clooney was getting married. However, when they learned that it was human rights lawyer and natural beauty, Amal Clooney, they learned to accept these nuptials. Of course, this was made even better by the fact that Amal looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day. For the happiest day of her life, Amal enlisted the help of fashion house Oscar de la Renta to provide her with a custom gown, and everything from the dress to the train was absolutely perfect.

Nicole Richie

Although Nicole Richie and Joel Madden decided to keep their nuptials pretty low-key when they tied the knot in 2010, photos of her wedding dress were later revealed in a German magazine – and they showed a stunning and show-stopping gown that would go down in history. Designed by Marchesa, this gown featured long, lace sleeves, alongside a thick waistband. Then, the bottom of the dress transformed into a tulle-lover’s dream, and it added a huge amount of dimension to the overall dress. We bet that it was hard to move in, though!

Angelina Jolie

The marriage between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean that the world has forgotten about their iconic pairing. For their wedding day, the couple’s children played a huge part in the day itself – and they also played a big part in Angelina’s wedding gown. Designed by Luigi Massi for Versace, much of this dress was made from a stunning white silk-satin material and featured small spaghetti straps for cleanliness and simplicity. On the back of the dress, however, were drawings made by her children that were sewn into the material.

Wallis Simpson

While there’s no doubt about the fact that Wallis Simpson’s wedding day was shrouded in controversy, this American socialite and her former British King husband put all of this criticism – and the British throne – behind them to pursue their undying love for each other. The couple’s wedding was a fairly simple affair, due to the fact that Edward VII’s Royal Family refused to attend the event, but Wallis still looked absolutely stunning in her blue dress. It was subtle, it was form-fitting, and it was a dress that showed the world that she meant business.

Keira Knightley

If you’re familiar with Keira Knightley, you may know that this actress isn’t one to show off. In fact, she wanted to keep her intimate wedding as understated as possible – so she repurposed an old Chanel dress that she had worn numerous times before. Prior to her big day, Keira had been spotted on the red carpet wearing this ballerina-style mini-dress on countless occasions, and it seems as though she loved it so much that she brought it out again for her nuptials. She topped the whole thing off with a delicate flower garland around her head and some sunglasses.

Lauren Conrad

Although Lauren Conrad grew up in front of the cameras, she has since tried to keep her life as private as possible. Because of this, she kept her wedding pretty low-key but did allow some photos to make their way into the public. This has allowed us the chance to check out her stunning gown, designed by Mark Badgley and James Mischka. Featuring a beautiful two-tone Chantilly lace embroidery, this dress also offered a huge amount of sparkle in the form of beads and pearls. The long train was the real piece-de-resistance, though.

Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple’s fame and fortune stemmed from her work as a child star, and while she ultimately retired from acting at the age of 22, that didn’t stop her from being one of the most iconic women of all time. Because of this, her fans were intrigued to learn more about her wedding and her marriage to Army Corps sergeant, John Agar. For this momentous occasion, Shirley kept to the fashion of the time with the color, the material, and the short sleeves of her dress. However, she also broke convention with her unique neckline – complete with matching headpiece.

Ciara

Many brides dream of wearing a custom gown designed by one of the best in the business, and this was the case for Ciara back in 2016. When her big day came around, she had the pleasure of wearing a stunning design from Peter Dundas. This one-of-a-kind gown was made from beautiful Chantilly lace and white tulle, and the whole thing was adorned with floral embroidery to add to that feminine touch. This, alongside the sweetheart neckline, made sure that she was one of the most stunning brides the world has ever seen.

Marilyn Monroe

As someone who changed society’s perception of beauty and fashion over the course of her career, many people expected Marilyn Monroe to wear something scandalous and truly outrageous for her wedding day. However, fans were pretty surprised to see what she really wore when she married the famous baseball star Joe DiMaggio in 1954. That’s because Marilyn chose to keep things simple with a dark brown dress that made its way down below her knees and offered a matching jacket. She didn’t wear white, but she still made headlines – and she still made people pretty jealous.

Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore has often been regarded as a Hollywood princess, and there’s no doubt about the fact that she proved this when she walked down the aisle in 2018. For her wedding, where she married Taylor Goldsmith, Mandy decided to enlist the help of Rodarte to bring her colorful vision to life. She didn’t want to wear a traditional white or ivory gown but instead opted for a stunning rose-colored gown. Featuring tiers of tulle, the gown was finished off with a veil that certainly allowed her a happily ever after.

Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli has been married four times over the course of her career, and while she has strayed from wedding traditions over the years, her first marriage was definitely as traditional as could be. Of course, that doesn’t mean that Liza wasn’t continuing her reign as a trendsetter. While the actress and singer stuck to a white gown, she chose a dress that was way ahead of its time due to the fact that it came complete with beautiful lace decorations, a turtleneck design, and big, ruffled sleeves. If you ask us, she looked absolutely stunning on her big day.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

After a rather tumultuous relationship over the course of both of their lives, Prince Charles finally married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, and their long-awaited nuptials were watched by millions across the globe. As they were older and had both been married before, Camilla wanted to wear something that wasn’t quite as traditional as some would expect. The end result was designed by L.K Bennet, who created a cream silk and chiffon dress complete with a matching coat. She topped the final look off with a straw hat, which featured some rather fetching feathers.

Rita Wilson

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks have proved to the world that their love reigns supreme, as these two have been married since 1988. Their wedding was certainly an ode to the decade, as Rita’s wedding gown rocked some of the biggest fashion trends of the 1980s. Although this gown was tight in certain places, the knee-length number also featured poofy aspects that were extremely popular at the time. The whole look was topped off with some sheer pantyhose and a long train that she had to carry out of the ceremony because it was just too big.

Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson is often considered to be one of the most sophisticated women in Hollywood, and while she is incredibly stylish, some of the retro styles she has rocked in the past have been pretty quirky. This was certainly the case back in 1989 when she tied the knot with Kenneth Branagh. For this occasion, Emma strayed away from a traditional white dress and opted for something a little more colorful. This pink, blue, green, and white dress offered large puffed sleeves and a knee-length hem, and the matching hat made it even more unique.

Dita Von Teese

If you cast your mind back to 2005, you might remember when famous burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese married the metal musician, Marilyn Manson. As two people who are known for being unconventional and out there, most people knew that their wedding wouldn’t be traditional. In fact, Dita snubbed the white color altogether when it came to designing her wedding dress. Instead, she got Vivienne Westwood to design her a custom violet silk gown that showcased her bright personality and her unique nature. It’s certainly one of the most iconic we’ve seen.

Raquel Welch

If you’re familiar with the life and times of Raquel Welch, you’ll know that this woman loves to be different and loves to stray away from what’s expected of her. She proved this to everyone when she wed Patrick Curtis in 1967. Although the couple showed the world that they were utterly in love with their Valentine’s Day wedding that took place in the romantic city of Paris, Raquel defied convention with her wedding gown of choice. In fact, her wedding dress was more of a summer dress with its sleeveless style, and its short hemline.

Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr is one of the most famous models that this world has to offer, so it will probably come as no surprise to learn that she wore an exquisite dress for her wedding day in 2016. Miranda wanted an iconic and classic gown for the happiest day of her life, so she enlisted the help of Dior to design a dress inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding dress. The end result was a high-necked dress, complete with full sleeves, delicate buttons, and lily of the valley appliques. Miranda noted that she wanted to create “a sense of purity and mystery.”

Brigitte Nielsen

If you cast your mind back to 1985, you may remember when Brigitte Nielsen married the famous actor, Sylvester Stallone. These nuptials proved to be pretty exciting for their fans, and it was even more exciting when they got to check out Brigitte’s wedding dress. Serving up some serious 1980s glamour, this dress was covered in lace and featured sleeves that she actually designed herself – with a little help from her fashion designer. The whole outfit was then teamed up with a beaded headpiece that definitely stole the show.

Kim Zolciak

Kim Zolciak is known for being over the top and extreme, and fans of her would have already seen this within her role on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. As someone who loves to spend her money on glitz and glamour, it came as no surprise to many when she married Kroy Biermann and wore a show-stopping gown. This low-cut dress was covered in beads and crystals, and the bottom of the dress was overrun with ruffles to make it larger than life. Apparently, the dress itself weighed a whopping 32 pounds!

Bon Voyaged